Incentives and contests can be powerful tools to motivate your team, boost engagement, and drive results—but only if they’re done right. In this session, Patrick Downey shares lessons learned from years of experience, covering the dos and don’ts of running successful incentive programs. Whether you’re managing an at-need funeral home staff or a preneed sales team, you’ll discover how to structure contests that inspire rather than backfire. Learn how to align incentives with your team culture, budget effectively, and ensure your contests drive meaningful business outcomes.

One-on-one meetings are one of the most powerful tools for boosting employee engagement, productivity, and performance—yet most managers admit they don’t do them well. In this session, Pat Downey explores why these meetings matter, how to introduce them to your team, and the best way to structure them for success. Whether you’re a funeral home manager, team leader, or business owner, this video will help you establish meaningful touchpoints with your employees to improve communication, mentorship, and overall team effectiveness.